Dr. TV Rao, a noted clinical microbiologist writes on Monkey Fever, a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever, endemic in 5 districts of Karnataka already, and now gradually spreading to neighbouring states as well.

When a forest cover is cleared, animals get displaced. When traversing to find a new settlement, primates such as langur, bonnet macaques, and lion-tailed macaques leave behind ticks on the ground. These ticks, belonging to the Flaviviridae family, latch on to domestic animals and subsequently affect human beings.

What happens when a person contracts monkey fever?

Dr. Rao: After an incubation period of 3 to 8 days, the symptoms of KFD begin suddenly with chills, fever, and headache. Severe muscle pain with vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and internal bleeding may occur 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms surface. Patients may experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell count.

What is the recovery procedure of a KFD patient like? How long does it take one to get cured?

Dr. Rao: After 1 to 2 weeks of symptoms, some patients recover without any complications. However, the illness is biphasic for a subset of patients (10-20%) who experience a second wave of symptoms at the beginning of the third week. These symptoms include fever and signs of neurological manifestations, such as a severe headache, mental disturbances, tremors, and vision deficits.

How is KFD diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Rao: Diagnosis can be made in the early stages of illness by molecular detection through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kits or virus isolation from blood. Later, serological testing using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Serologic Assay (ELISA) can be performed.

There is no specific treatment for KFD but early hospitalisation and supportive therapy are important. Supportive therapy includes the maintenance of hydration and the usual precautions for patients with bleeding disorders. In the advanced stages, there is no definite curative treatment. The physicians should contact state health authorities to get information about the testing protocols and facilities available locally.

Since KFD outbreak takes place in areas where forests are being denuded, what precautions should doctors advise people living in these areas to avoid contracting the disease?

And, what precautions should doctors themselves take while treating KFD cases?

Dr. Rao: Vaccine does exist for KFD and is used in endemic areas of India. Additional preventative measures include insect repellents and wearing protective clothing in areas where ticks are endemic.

In KFD, no person-to-person transmission has yet been described. It means doctors cannot be infected by touching the patients, or by the respiratory route. However, doctors, paramedical staff such as technicians and patients’ attendants, and nurses should follow standard safety procedures while treating sick patients who may also likely be infected with HIV/HBV/HCV.

Article was originally published on February 27, 2018.

Interview by M Raghuram and Elizabeth Mani, freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.